Biased connector system

Abstract

A biased connector assembly is disclosed that includes a receptacle configured to mount to a substrate and form an electrical connection therewith, and a plug connector. The receptacle includes a cage that defines a port having a connector positioned therein. The connector may include a slot that is aligned with the port. The port includes one or more biasing members positioned therein. The plug connector includes a pluggable transceiver module to be inserted into the port and a card with at least one contact pad configured to engage with a terminal of the connector. The one or more biasing members may bias the plug module away from the connector such that a stub length of the contact pad is within a predetermined range.

Therefore, the following is claimed: 
     
       1. A connector assembly, comprising:
 a receptacle connector configured to mount to a substrate and form an electrical connection therewith, the receptacle connector comprising a cage that defines a port having a connector positioned therein, the connector comprising a card slot that is aligned with the port, the cage comprising a first biasing member and a second biasing member each at opposing sides of a distal end of the cage and extending from a bottom wall of the cage that is positioned in the port, the connector comprising at least one terminal with a contact portion positioned in the card slot; and 
 a plug connector comprising a pluggable transceiver module configured to be inserted into the port, the pluggable transceiver module comprising a paddle card with at least one contact pad configured to engage with the contact portion of the at least one terminal, 
 wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are configured to contact the pluggable transceiver module and bias the pluggable transceiver module away from the connector so that a stub length of the contact pad is within a predetermined range. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the receptacle connector further comprises a base plate having a plurality of apertures through which prongs of the cage are positioned to form an electrical connection with the substrate; 
 the first biasing member and the second biasing member are each formed integral with the base plate; and 
 the first biasing member and the second biasing member each extend at least in part vertically from the base plate. 
 
     
     
       3. The connector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member each comprise a first C-shaped section extending in an insertion direction and a second C-shaped section integral with the first C-shaped section extending in an opposing direction. 
     
     
       4. The connector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle connector further comprises a plug module stop configured to limit reverse translation of the pluggable transceiver module relative to the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       5. The connector assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the plug module stop comprises a cage latch formed integral with the cage, the cage latch configured to engage a housing of the plug connector to limit the reverse translation of the pluggable transceiver module when a force is imposed by the pluggable transceiver by the the first biasing member or the second biasing member. 
     
     
       6. A receptacle connector configured to mount to a substrate and form an electrical connection therewith, comprising:
 a cage that defines a port, the port comprising at least one biasing member positioned therein and at least one terminal with a contact portion, 
 wherein the at least one biasing member is S-shaped and comprises a first C-shaped section extending in an insertion direction and a second C-shaped section integral with the first C-shaped section extending in an opposing direction, and 
 wherein the at least one biasing member is positioned at an end of an expected plug module travel range, and the at least one biasing member is configured to urge a pluggable transceiver module of a plug connector to a predetermined position such that a stub of a contact pad of the plug connector has a predetermined length when engaged with the at least one terminal. 
 
     
     
       7. The receptacle connector according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the port has a connector positioned therein, the connector comprising a card slot that is aligned with the port; and 
 the connector comprises the at least one terminal. 
 
     
     
       8. The receptacle connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one biasing member is a first biasing member and a second biasing member. 
     
     
       9. The receptacle connector according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first biasing member is positioned on a first side of a distal end of the port and the second biasing member is positioned on a second side of the distal end of the port; and 
 the first biasing member and the second biasing member are configured to contact opposing sides of the pluggable transceiver module. 
 
     
     
       10. The receptacle connector according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the receptacle connector further comprises a base plate having a plurality of apertures through which prongs of the cage are positioned to form an electrical connection with the substrate; 
 the at least one biasing member is formed integral with the base plate; and 
 the at least one biasing member extends vertically from the base plate. 
 
     
     
       11. The receptacle connector according to  claim 6 , wherein the receptacle connector further comprises a plug module stop configured to limit reverse translation of the pluggable transceiver module relative to the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       12. The receptacle connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the plug module stop comprises a cage latch formed integral with the cage, the cage latch configured to engage a housing of the plug connector to limit the reverse translation of the pluggable transceiver module when a force is imposed by the pluggable transceiver by the at least one biasing member. 
     
     
       13. The receptacle connector according to  claim 6 , wherein the receptacle connector further comprises a projecting element that is substantially rigid, the projecting element extending from a forward face of the pluggable transceiver module, the projecting element configured to contact an opposing portion of a housing of the connector. 
     
     
       14. The receptacle connector according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the projecting element comprises a stepped body comprising a first surface and a second surface on differing vertical planes, the first surface and the second surface being separated by a sloped extending portion; 
 the first surface and the second surface are generally flat with respect to and parallel with a top surface of a substrate on which the receptacle connector is disposed; and 
 the projecting element is integral with the housing of the pluggable transceiver module. 
 
     
     
       15. The receptacle connector according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first sidewall projection positioned on a first interior wall of the cage and a second sidewall projection positioned on a second interior wall of the cage opposite that of the first interior wall, the first sidewall projection and the second sidewall projection configured to contact a portion of the pluggable transceiver module to limit further translation of the pluggable transceiver module in the port. 
 
     
     
       16. The receptacle connector according to  claim 15 , wherein the first sidewall projection and the second sidewall projection are semi-circular punchouts formed on the first and second interior walls of the cage. 
     
     
       17. A connector assembly, comprising:
 a receptacle connector configured to mount to a substrate and form an electrical connection therewith, the receptacle connector comprising a cage that defines a port, the port comprising a first biasing member and a second biasing member positioned therein formed integral with a bottom wall of the cage, and a connector comprising at least one terminal with a contact portion, wherein each of the first biasing member and the second biasing member are S-shaped and comprises a first C-shaped section extending in an insertion direction and a second C-shaped section integral with the first C-shaped section extending in an opposing direction; and 
 a plug connector comprising a pluggable transceiver module configured to be inserted into the port, the pluggable transceiver module comprising circuitry with at least one contact pad configured to engage with the contact portion of the at least one terminal, 
 wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are positioned at an end of an expected plug module travel range and are configured to urge the pluggable transceiver module to a predetermined position such that a stub length of the at least one contact pad has a predetermined length. 
 
     
     
       18. The connector assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first biasing member is positioned on a first side of a distal end of the port and the second biasing member is positioned on a second side of the distal end of the port; and 
 the first biasing member and the second biasing member are configured to contact opposing sides of the pluggable transceiver module. 
 
     
     
       19. The connector assembly according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first sidewall projection positioned on a first interior wall of the cage and a second sidewall projection positioned on a second interior wall of the cage opposite that of the first interior wall, the first sidewall projection and the second sidewall projection configured to contact a portion of the pluggable transceiver module to limit further translation of the pluggable transceiver module in the port. 
 
     
     
       20. The connector assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the first sidewall projection and the second sidewall projection are semi-circular punchouts formed on the first and second interior walls of the cage.